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There are chances that they will continue to struggle since their schedule is getting increasingly tougher.

The Bulls have had a tough February (went 4 - 6 so far and they play @ OKC, vs CLE and vs PHI) and their March has at least 7 tough games (vs BRK, @ IND, @ SAS, @ GS, vs DEN, vs IND and vs MIA) while 3 or more games could be hard as well (vs Utah, @ LAL, vs POR and possible @ DAL).

The Nets don't have as hard of a schedule as the Knicks but they have by far the less home games remaining (only 10 home games remaining as they have already played 31 home games). 16 of their 26 remaining games are on the road including an 8 game road trip that starts at March 18 in Detroit and ends at April 3 in Cleveland. The cause of the road trip is the Rodeo and during that span they play road games @ DAL (they are on a 3 game winning streak), @ LAC, @ POR, @ DEN and @ Utah (second game of a back to back). They also have to play games @ CHI, @ ATL, @ BOS, @ IND and @ TOR.

I don't know anything about the Hawks. I'll check it right now

They have played more playoff games (28) than road games (26). In fact, the only Eastern Conference team that has played more road games than home games is Miami (26 to 27). We have played an equal amount of home and road games (both at 28).

The Hawks started a 6 game road trip with today's game against Milwaukee. They play @ DET, @ Utah, @ PHO, @ LAL and @ DEN (second night of a back to back). Then they play vs PHI. A tough stretch follows with games @ BOS, vs BRK (second night of a back to back), @ MIA. Afterwards, they play vs LAL and vs PHO. They go @ BRK and then host DAL on the following day. They play vs MIL and vs POR and then they go at a 4 game road streak playing @ MIL, @ IND (second night of a back to back), @ TOR and @ BOS and they close up their March vs ORL (second night of a back to back).

Their April is home heavy (5 home games versus 3 road games) but they play the Knicks twice (vs NYK at 3, @ NYK at 17), they host Toronto at 16 (possibly fighting for a PO spot) and they play @ SAS at 6 (although, SAS will probably rest their big 3 at that time).

Overall, none of our opponents has an easy schedule. If we continue to play the way we have done after that hideous start then we should keep the #2 seed.

Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.

Re: Expectations check-in

Some of this stuff needs to go in Knee Jerk reaction...Just like when we get too negative. I realize we have killed the teams the last 4, but 3 of those wins came against Detroit and Charlotte.

Imo, it doesn't have to do with the last 4 games (although, I admit that the NYK blasting made me a bit more optimistic).

For me it has to do with the steady improvement of this team. It has to do with George Hill being a point guard that knows his role. It has to do with Lance Stephenson blossoming into a dependable starter. It has to do with Paul George blossoming into a full-fledged All-Star and still show that he has not hit his ceiling yet. It has to do with West fully recovering from his ACL. It has to do with Hibbert being an absolute terror on the defensive end despite being below par on the other end (I expect him to bounce back, though). It has to do with Mahinmi being a real back-up at the Center position. It has to do with Tyler's improved defense. It has to do with DJ finding his 3 point shot (and I still believe in Green). It has to do with OJ looking like another good second round pick. It has to do with this team being the #1 defensive team. I am disappointed at times if we let the opponent to score 90 points. I was a bit disappointed when Detroit scored over 80 yesterday and over 70 tonight. It has to do with this team being a top rebounding team (#1 in raw RPG, #1 in Rebounding Differential, #2 in Rebound Rate (ie. Total Rebound %). And it also has to do with Danny Granger returning only a bit after schedule.

In general, it has to do with clear signs that indicate that this team belong in the elite level. Personally, I never was too negative. Even when we started off poorly. I was disappointed but I was never in the "blow it up" camp. I believe in this team.

My expectations have not changed from last year. If anything, they have been a bit better than I expected

Tonight, all flags must burn, in place of steeples.
Autonomy must return into the hands of the people.

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Re: Expectations check-in

I really want to make it to the finals, but I think we might be a year out. As long as we keep our core together. I see us going to the ECF this year and taking Miami to a game 7 and unfortunately losing in Miami.

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Re: Expectations check-in

You guys better lower your expectations level just a bit. You do know this is the NBA right? We will be battling the other team and the officials come playoff time. Only way we come out of the East is if we play our BEST basketball during the playoffs. Not impossible but I'm not getting my hopes up either. This team is still a Jeckyl and Hyde team on the road at times.

Re: Expectations check-in

You guys better lower your expectations level just a bit. You do know this is the NBA right? We will be battling the other team and the officials come playoff time. Only way we come out of the East is if we play our BEST basketball during the playoffs. Not impossible but I'm not getting my hopes up either. This team is still a Jeckyl and Hyde team on the road at times.

I agree with you. I am very excited about this team too but I keep my expectations in check and keep an eye on NBA playoff history. Teams from small markets with no stars don't win the championship but about once every 30 to 40 years. I also believe the Pacers are made for regular season play where they excell but when the playoffs come and the intensity ratchets up several notches and the stars start playing heavier minutes, the Pacers do not do as well. My personal feeling is that they have a good chance to beat anyone but the Heat (I said a "chance" not that they were favorites). I don't think they have any chance against the Heat with LBJ and company. James' will to win is very strong and he is could enough to take his play up to about whatever level it takes to win. I hope for the best in all of their matchups and nothing would surprise me good or bad. I don't see Granger adding to this mix because they can't play much better than they already are. He does give them a "go to" shooter in the last three or four minutes of a game and that would be a big plus. I am concerned about how much he changes the chemistry this team has built over the season. Perhaps none, perhaps a lot in my opinion. ...

Re: Expectations check-in

I think we will advance past the finals, to face the Monstars, who we will beat in 7.

I hear a lot of you saying things like this. What makes you think the Pacers can beat the Heat in the playoffs at all? I certainly don't. They have three stars and we don't have any. Unless someone is hurt, I see the Heat beating the Pacers in five games...... ...

You guys better lower your expectations level just a bit. You do know this is the NBA right? We will be battling the other team and the officials come playoff time. Only way we come out of the East is if we play our BEST basketball during the playoffs. Not impossible but I'm not getting my hopes up either. This team is still a Jeckyl and Hyde team on the road at times.

You consistently spew that the other team gets all the calls. Stop with that ******** excuse.

Re: Expectations check-in

I hear a lot of you saying things like this. What makes you think the Pacers can beat the Heat in the playoffs at all? I certainly don't. They have three stars and we don't have any. Unless someone is hurt, I see the Heat beating the Pacers in five games...... ...

Really.

You can have Bosh. I'll take George, West, Granger (if he returns to form), Hibbert, and Hill over him. Heck, Tyler usually beats him up.

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Re: Expectations check-in

It's early yet but this is starting to feel a little bit like 93-94. Steam rolling teams defensively. The offense starting to click. Roll players contributing big when called upon.

If Danny can work his way back to 90% or better then in my mind the train keeps rollin and Pacers finish as the 2nd seed in the east. Beating the Heat is something of a long shot but not out of the question. Especially if either West or Hibbert can consistently punish them in the low post.

Following an upset like that up by beating the Thunder or Spurs in the Finals is very unlikely in my mind. Team doesn't have enough experience operating deep in the playoffs. Occaisonally "not knowing any better" can be a benefit but in the NBA playoff format that is rare.